For hundreds of years, birth was regarded as a miracle. It was the beginning of a new life and it was difficult to control, predict, or affect. However, through the scientific developments of the last 100 years, the miracle of birth has been broken down into an exact science. The variables of labor have been accounted for, with a number of procedures designed to protect the mother and the child throughout the pregnancy and birth in case of an unexpected complication. The procedures are numerous, too numerous to be thoroughly discussed in only a few pages. Therefore, only a few different procedures can be discussed here. These procedures will be the more common ones: Cesarean sections, forceps deliveries, fetal monitoring, and the use of epidurals. The necessity for each of these procedures will be explained as well as the unavoidable effects and the possible dangers and side effects. The research that is used to present these points will be in support of and critical of the procedures. After the research has been presented, I will enter my own conclusions and opinions concerning the procedures that are discussed, the validity of the risks involved, and whether or not such risks are worth the rewards.The use of a cesarean section to forcibly remove a child during labor is a practice that occurs often throughout the world. The procedure has been documented by the American Medical Association as a major abdominal surgery. This surgery, when necessary, is a life-saving technique for the child and the mother. According to the Public Health Citizen’s Research Group (1996), “there are three main medical causes for cesareans: non-progressive labor, breech presentation, and fetal distress.” The American Medical Association (1994) continues “Prolapsed cord (where the cord comes down before the baby), placenta abruptio (where the placenta separates before the birth), placenta previa (where the placenta partia...
